Strap cutting tool



Patented Jan. 25, 1949 STRAP CUTTING TOOL Norman T. Bissett, Reading, and Norman C.

Moore, HaverhilL'Mass assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York -Application September 1, 1945, Serial No. 614,016

Claims. 1

This invention relates to strap cutting tools, and more particularly to tools for cutting metal straps used in binding large packages.

The metal straps employed for binding packages are secured in place under tension. Therefore, due to the inherent resilient nature of such metal straps and the tension therein while binding packages, the ends of the straps when out will fly outwardly, creating a hazardous condition if nothing is provided to control the ends of the strap immediately after the strap is cut. This condition is also enhanced by increasing the tension in the strap during the positioning of a cutting tool between the strap and the package to bring about the cutting operation.

The principle of the invention is to provide a strap cutting tool which is highly efficient, not only in the cutting of straps, but in controlling the ends thereof adjacent the out until the tension in the strap diminishes.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the strap cutting tool grips the strap upon each side of the portion to be out prior to, during and after the cutting operation to hold the ends of the strap against flying outwardly. Specifically the tool includes a wedge-like base for movement between the strap and the package to cooperate with a knife, carried by a pivoted member of the base, to cut through the strap. There are gripping pads pivotally supported to lie upon thestrap at each side of the portion to be cut. These gripping pads are to be engaged by spring pressed plurgers carried by the pivoted member to cause the pads to cooperate with the base to grip the strap firmly prior to cutting of the strap-and to hold the ends of the strap against flying outwardly after the out has been completed. The pressure applied to the gripping pads during the cutting may be gradually decreased by the movement of the pivoted member away from the base to allow the ends of the strap to gradually move outwardly.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the strap cutting tool shown at the completion of the cutting operation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the strap cutting tool, illustrating the completion of a cutting operation; and

Fig. 3 isa perspective view of a cured by the aid of metal straps.

Referring now to thespecific embodiment in package sethe drawing, the illustrations in Figs. 1 and 2 represent the cutting of any of the straps IU of the package or bale II. The cutting tool includes a base I2, having a flat under surface It to rest upon the package H and a tapered surface l5, providing a wedge-like portion which may be moved freely beneath the strap III, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 2. The base l2 has an upright portion l6 which carries 'a shaft or pivot I! for a holder I8. The base also includes portions l9 between which gripping pads 20 are disposed, and to which the rearmost ends of the pads are pivotally secured as at 2|. The leading ends of the pads 20 are rounded at 22 so that the gripping pads may ride upon the strap'as the tool is moved into place.

The holder I8 is apertured to receive plungers 24 and springs 25, the latter normally forcing the plungers-24 outwardly to engage their respective gripping pads 20 during the pivotal movement of the holder 3 toward the base l2. The force of the springs 25 may be varied by adjustment of their respective screws 26, these adjustments being maintained by lock nuts 21. The holder l8 also carries a knife 28 which is disposed in an aperture 29 of the holder and held in place by the aid of pins 38 and screws 3|. A handle 22 is integral with the holder I8 for manual movement of the holder with the knife and the spring pressed plungers. A notch 34 is cut longitudinally in the base l2 to provide one or two cutting edges 35 (only one being shown) to cooperate with the knife in cutting the strap.

During the operation of the cutting tool, the

operator may hold the tool in one hand by gripping the handle 32 and'moving the tool with respect to the package II to cause the leading end of the base, that is, the wedge shaped portion l5 thereof, to pass between the package and the portion of the strap to be out until that portion of the strap lies over the notch 34 at a position to be engaged by the knife. While in this position, the gripping pads 20 will lie upon the strap, and will be engaged by their plungers 24 in. advance of the knife engaging the strap so that a sufiicient gripping force on these portions of the strap may be created before the strap is cut. The gripping force is increased during the cutting operation due to the fact that during the pivotal movement of the holder 18 toward the base l2, the springs 25 are compressed, the force created therein being increased to the end of the cutting operation, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The gripping force is decreased in a similar manner during the opening of the tool, that is, during the movement of the holder ll about its pivot to move the knife 28 outwardly away from the base. During this operation, or opening of the tool, the holding force of the pads will continue although at a diminishing rate until the knife has been moved away from the strap. In this manner the tension originally placed in the strap and increased by the positioning of the base l2 therebeneath hasbeen allowed to diminish gradually until there is no tension in the strap when the ends are released. Furthermore, the added effect of the resilient nature of the strap is also controlled by the tool, the ends of the cut strap being allowed to fall to their respective sides rather than fly outwardly, causing possible material damage and bodily injury.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various madiflcations may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims. It should also be understood that the tool may be used for cutting strands, such as wire, and materials of other cross-sectional contours although it was primarily designed for cutting metal straps. The term strand is, therefore, intended to broadly describe all such materials.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for cutting package binding straps, the tool comprising a base having a wedge shaped leading end to facilitate movement of the base between a package and a tensioned strap binding the package, a knife to cooperate with the base to cut the strap, a holder for the knife movable relative to the base to move the knife into and out of its cutting position, and means to grip the A strap to hold the ends of the strap created by the out against flying outwardly.

2. A tool for cutting package binding straps, the

tool comprising a base having a wedge shaped leading end to facilitate movement of the base between a package and a tensioned strap binding the package, a knife to cooperate with the base to cut 4 3. A tool for cutting package binding straps, the tool comprising a supporting handle, a knife. a holder therefor carried by the handle, a base pivotally carried by the holder and having a cutoperation until the tension initially in the strap is spent.

4. A tool for cutting package binding straps, the tool comprising a base having a cutting edge and a wedge shaped leading end to facilitate movement of the base between a package and a tensioned strap binding the package, a knife to cooperate with the cutting edge of the base to cut the strap, a holder for the knife movable relative to the base to move the knife into and out of its cutting position, and means to grip the strap to hold the ends of the strap created by the out against flying outwardly.

5. A tool for cutting package binding straps, the tool comprising a base having a cutting edge and a wedge shaped leading end to facilitate movement of the base between a package and a tensioned strap binding the package, a knife to cooperate with the cutting edge of the base to cut the strap, a holder for the knife movable relative to the base to move the knife into and out of its cutting position, gripping pads disposed adjacent the base one upon each side of the cutting position, and .spring pressed plungers carried by the holder and movable therewith to engage their respective gripping :pad and force them into gripping engagement with the strap prior to the cutting of the strap between the pads.

' NORMAN T. BISSETT.

NORMAN C. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED -The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED s'rs'ras PATENTS Name Date S nediker Sept. 17, 1878 Number 

